Police: Greenwich music teacher made 'unsuitable request' of child

Justin Pottle

Published 8:31 pm, Thursday, July 24, 2014

Greenwich Police arrested a music teacher Wednesday for allegedly making an "unsuitable request" to his 10-year-old student.

Sean Jackson, 41, of Stamford was tutoring the student alone "in a private school setting" at the time of the alleged incident, police said.

Jackson has been charged with risk of injury to a minor, a Class C felony. He was released on $500 bond and is set to appear Wednesday in state Superior Court in Stamford.

"There are many definitions of Risk of Injury," said Greenwich Police Lt. Kraig Gray. "In this instance, his actions fell within risk of injury. The charges were discussed with the prosecutor."

Police arrested Jackson at approximately 2:30 p.m. Wednesday after they obtained a warrant following an investigation into the alleged incident, which reportedly occurred this spring. Police are treating the case as an isolated event, but are encouraging anyone with information about any other inappropriate acts potentially committed by Jackson to contact the GPD Special Victims Section at 203-622-8030.

"We are continuing to investigate," said Gray. "If anyone does have any information or has had a similar experience to contact the Special Victims Sector."

Investigators said they will not release further information for the time being, citing confidentiality clauses under Connecticut law.

Police would not say which of the town's private schools had employed Jackson or where the incident took place. According to school websites, Jackson taught music at Stanwich School during the 2013-14 school year and served as director of handbells at Convent of the Sacred Heart.

A representative of Convent of the Sacred Heart said police had contacted the school about Jackson's employment, but that the case did not involve a CSH student.

"Sean Jackson was a part-time music instructor during the 2013-14 school year," said Kathleen Failla, director of public relations and communications for CSH, in a statement. "Mr. Jackson is no longer employed by Convent of the Sacred Heart, and we are not aware of any inappropriate behavior involving our students during the ten months he was member of our community. We are fully cooperating with the Greenwich Police, who have informed the school that this charge does not involve a CSH student."

Representatives of Stanwich School did not respond to requests for comment. It could not be determined Thursday if Jackson works for other private schools in town.

Jackson worked at the Stanwich Congregational Church as the organist and music director. He has been terminated from the position following the arrest, church leaders said.

"We are, as the leadership of the church, deeply saddened by this turn of events," said Senior Pastor Chuck Davis. "We reacted swiftly with receipt of the information. Sean was terminated as organist before the public announcement of his arrest. There is no indication of illegal activity at Stanwich Congregational Church or within the church ministry."

According to Jackson's personal website, he is a native of Barbados and has performed organ and piano internationally. He graduated from the Juilliard School in 2004 with a masters and doctorate in music and is now an "active teacher in Connecticut's Fairfield County area."